2020 marks the 40th annual Medina Lake Cajun Festival that was born in 1981 as the great Gumbo Cook-Off. The usual barbecue and Chili cookoffs were explored as fundraisers for the Lakehills Civic Center to keep afloat. The Cajun Festival was suggested by Bob Caswell, a recent transplant from New Orleans. Despite skepticism the festival grew and in 1990 the name was changed to the Medina Lake Cajun Festival to better reflect the scope of the event.

The festival brings the amazing music, food and culture of Louisiana to the Texas Hill Country for fun the whole family can enjoy. Visitors can listen and dance to topnotch Louisiana Cajun and Zydeco music on two stages with bands from the heart of Louisiana. You can also taste all the delicious gumbo from the Great Gumbo Cook-off. Savor the delicious Cajun food cooked on site. Dishes include crawfish pies, jambalaya, fried fish and shrimp, red beans & rice, crawfish etouffee, boudin jalapeno pepper poppers, bread pudding with whiskey sauce, pecan pralines and much, much more.

There are two dance floors, and it is impossible not to join in the exuberant dancing or at least tap your toes as you listen. Other attractions include an Arts & Crafts show and games for the kids. Admission is $12 and children 10 and under enter free. There is free parking and shuttle service, and the event is held at the Lakehills Civic Center, a non-profit charitable organization. For further info see the admission and parking page and the contact page.

Back The usual barbecues and chili cookoffs were discussed, until a strange Cajun accent suggested from the back of the room "Why not do omethin different? How about a gumbo cookoff?" This odd recommendation was that of a recent transplant from New Orleans, local attorney Bob Caswell.

As the French would say, celebrate "La joie de vivre." Life has its heartbreaks and sadness, but for one day put your problems aside to have fun. It's the Cajun way of life. One more bit of French wisdom, "Laissez les Bon Temps rouler!" Americans know it as "Let The Good Times Roll!"

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Don

Fontenot

La Recolte

Gary Trial & Countrymen

Images Courtesy Countrymen

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Get Your Cap Too!

"It's Awesome!" Nancy- San Antonio

"Great Festival." Shane-Lafayette LA

"Love It-6th time here!" Charlotte-Leakey TX.

"Love it all, Great Job." Wendy-Simonton, TX

"Fun, Fun! Sarah-Boerne, TX

"Love it! Michelle-Kerrville, TX

"Yummy Food." Teresa-San Antonio

"Love The Cajun Music." Dennis-Shreveport, LA

Due To The Covid-19 Pandemic The Cajun Festival Will be Cancelled Until Next Year. The Same Bands Listed Here Will Return. Our apologies but Safety Comes First. Join us on September 25, 2021 for our 40th Anniversary Celebration of the Medina Lake Cajun Festival. We will be back better than ever!

It is with sorrow that we announce the passing of Bob Caswell, Medina Lake Cajun Festival founder. The 2021 40th Anniversary celebration will be dedicated to his memory.